Thread: blade tension

depends on what length bar u are using.

most people dotn haev there chains tight enough.

the chain should pull out of the bar at teh bottom then return with a snaping noise. when let go.

it should be tight enough to stop pretty quickly when the trottle is relised when usign it for fencing.

Originally Posted by Farm boy

I was helping a mate put up a new bush fence for his horse, his little husky had a blade fairly loose and used auto transmision fluid as a lube

I tightened the blade so it would lift of the bar guide 2 or 3 mm and was stiff (blade wouldnt turn until you gave it some throttle) after i used it my mate said the blade should be more loose up to 6mm of play. to me that is to much and was wondering how much tension should a blade have

By Blade I assume you mean chain. You should not lift the bar by tightening the chain.
Steps
1) With the saw turned off and the chain brake off,
2) loosen the bar bolts just enough so the bar can move up and down.
3) put your left elbow on the wrap handle and lift the bar at the nose with the left hand until it cannot move any further
4) keep holding the bar nose up with the left hand, adjust the chain so it is snug on the bottom of the bar
5) keep holding the bar nose up with the left hand, tighten the bar bolts
6) test the snaps back as per wiesys post - if not repeat previous 5 steps.

The chain is not supposed to turn until you give it some throttle. Typically a CS will idle at around 2500 rpm and the chain should not even start turning until about 3500 rpm. Chain should stop moving instantly (within about 1 second) when taking finger off throttle.

thanks for that info guys i will put it away for when my chainsaw comes out again

Another point - the chain on a hardnose bar should not be tightened as much as a sproketnose bar.

You can also flip the saw upside down when you put the bar and chain on this means you don;t have to hold the bar up when you tighten the bolts as gravity does the work.

Nothing wrong with using used auto trans oil I used to use it all the time when contract falling, just make sure its clean & filtered as it will wear out your oil pump innards quicker.
regards inter

Just a quick thankyou
I cleaned up my husky rancher today and followed carl and bobs procedure, the chain makes a lovely snapping noise when you tension it now
cheers
greg